Description
Keto Shrimp Caesar Salad delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors with crisp romaine and succulent grilled shrimp. Creamy homemade dressing and crunchy parmesan crisps elevate this low-carb classic, inviting you to savor each refreshing, protein-packed bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 450 grams (1 pound) shrimp (prawns), peeled, deveined, and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Salad Base and Vegetables:
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped (8 cups)
- 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced (300 grams / 2 cups)
Dressing and Cheese:
- 120 milliliters (½ cup) Caesar salad dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 40 grams (6 tablespoons) Parmesan cheese, shaved or shredded (omit for dairy-free)
Instructions
- Whisk together classic Caesar dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth and creamy consistency. Reserve the dressing for later use.
- Place fresh shrimp (prawns) in a spacious mixing bowl and generously coat with Cajun seasoning, massaging the spices into each seafood piece to ensure even distribution.
- Select a large cast-iron or non-stick skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers and develops a light, translucent appearance.
- Arrange seasoned shrimp in a single layer across the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown sear for approximately 60-90 seconds without overcrowding the pan.
- Carefully flip each shrimp using tongs, cooking an additional 1-2 minutes until the seafood transforms from translucent to opaque white with a delicate pink-orange hue, indicating complete cooking.
- While shrimp rest, slice crisp romaine lettuce into bite-sized fragments and transfer to a generous serving bowl.
- Drizzle prepared Caesar dressing over the chopped lettuce, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating and flavor integration.
- Scatter diced ripe tomatoes and freshly grated Parmesan cheese across the dressed salad, creating visual and textural contrast.
- Crown the salad with the seared Cajun-spiced shrimp, arranging them artfully atop the greens for an appetizing presentation.
- Serve immediately, allowing the warm, spicy shrimp to slightly wilt the dressed lettuce, melding flavors and temperatures.
Notes
- Properly dry shrimp ensures maximum flavor absorption and creates a perfect golden sear without steaming.
- Crisp romaine becomes the ultimate salad foundation by using fresh leaves or reviving wilted greens with an ice water bath.
- Strategic pan cooking prevents soggy shrimp, demanding a single-layer approach and potential batch cooking for optimal texture.
- Last-minute dressing application preserves lettuce crispness and maintains the salad’s vibrant, fresh character.
- Personalized seasoning allows bold flavor customization through additional Cajun spices or chili flakes for heat seekers.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 412
- Sugar: 6.2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 29.2g
- Saturated Fat: 6.0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 6.3g
- Protein: 29.7g
- Cholesterol: 180mg